J. Francis Burke of Wareham passed away Feb. 26, after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of the late Louise F. (Porter) Burke.

Born in Brockton in 1922, he was the son of the late B. Josephine (Hunt) Burke and Jeremiah J. Burke of Brockton, both formerly of Ireland. Fran graduated from Brockton High School in 1941 and attended Boston University, completing his associate degree.

During World War II, he was a navigator in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant. He was discharged honorably in 1945. After the war, he owned his own construction company — Debbie Construction. Later in life he became a construction manager, representing the owners on such entities as the Mass. Maritime Academy, Southeastern Mass. University, Brockton Housing Authority, Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital, and Goddard Memorial Hospital, to name a few.

In 1978, Fran and his wife Louise winterized the family cottage at Parkwood Beach in Wareham. Later, they moved from Brockton to Wareham year-round.

He leaves behind his two children, Debra L. Burke and Kevin P. Burke and his wife, Suzanne, all of Wareham; granddaughter Ashley Burrill of Plymouth and the joy to Fran’s day; great-grandson Cameron Quinn.  He is the brother of Mary Sampson and Margaret Sylvia, and the late Ann Flynn and Jeremiah Burke. Fran also was the uncle of several nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 2, at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham, at 11 a.m. Interment will be private. Visiting hours will be Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1115 West Chestnut St, Suite 301, Brockton, MA 02401. For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.